Woodbine Mohawk Park: Analysis for Thursday 2/27

Top Pick Stats: 14-74 / (-$75.90)

Best Bets: 2-7 / (-$6.80)

Spot Plays: 1-7 / (+6.00)

Best Bet: KATIES BET (RACE 10)

Spot Play: DIRTY LIL PIGLET (RACE 5)

Early Pick 5: 4,8/5,8/1,3,7/1,5,7/1 = $7.20

Late Pick 5: 6/3,4,7/6,8/1,2,6/4 = $3.60

Race 1: 3 YEAR OLDS: NW 1 RACE OR $8,510 LIFETIME. *75,000 GTD PICK 5*

(4) DEALIN N DIAMONDS is coming off an even, 3rd-place effort in what was her first start under the care of new trainer, Nick Gallucci. This daughter of Wheeling N Dealin looked very strong in her qua, in preparation for that outing and I’m willing to say she’s in store for a bounce back effort this evening. (8) NUMERO DIX came out of the same race as the choice and was a winner in that contest. It was the first time he stayed trotting in a PM race and he put forth a winning try because of it; he’s going to be the one to beat. (1) SOUTHWIND CAPONE has hit the board in all three starts in his young career and that trend can continue in here as well. (5) FISHERMANS BLUES is coming off an even qualifying effort. He will be making his career debut this evening and draws well enough to stick around for a share.

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Race 2: CLAIMING HANDICAP $8,000 TO $11,000.

(5) LETS GET PICKLED takes a dip in class in a softer claiming company here this evening and warrants top billing. (8) FROWNIES MIRACLE wasn’t a factor in his most recent try on Monday night and didn’t look his best, either. He takes a dip down the claiming ranks here and that could be enough to give him a chance. (2) QUAN BLUE CHIP went on a speed mission in his latest and got picked off late in the mile; he should be within striking distance turning for home. (1) BETTORHOLDONTIGHT had some pace in the latest stages of the mile and secured the show spot. He will be heard from late.

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Race 3: POP UP SERIES: F&M CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $4,000 LAST 5 STARTS.

(3) VELOCITY IMPETUOUS stayed in on the one cones in his latest and had a bit of pace when shaking loose late, to secure a 4th-place finish. She was able to get a start under her belt on the big track and that should benefit her going into this contest. (1) MY ONLY SUNSHINE disappointed as the favorite when she had too much work to do after getting away towards the back. She will now race out of the Mark Winacott barn and should be closer in this spot. (7) GYPSY MERLOT is coming off a 4th-place effort in her latest but was off 3 weeks coming into that contest. She will make her third start for Ron Macdonald and could be aggressively handled in this spot. (8) RAMBARAN ROSE finished 2nd in her latest at this same level. She draws outside, retains James MacDonald and can grab a good piece with the right trip.

Race 4: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $25,000 (OS $45,500) LIFETIME.

(1) ETHERIUM PARTY worked out a favorable trip in his latest and got picked off by a sharp rival in a 2nd-place effort. He draws inside and should be able to work out a stalking trip, which will be to his benefit in this spot. (5) JIMMY WHISPERS was aggressively handled as the overwhelming choice and went gate-to-wire to score. He had favorable fractions in doing so but should be able to work out a similar trip, which gives him serious, repeat potential. (7) ON TIME DELIVERY should appreciate the company he keeps in this spot and merits respect on the drop in class alone, but beware of a short price. (2) ALLSTAR PLAYBOY was able to round out the super after shaking loose late; he can grab a share here, too.

Race 5: POP UP SERIES: CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $4,000 LAST 5 STARTS.

(1) DIRTY LIL PIGLET was aggressively handled in his most recent contest and then faltered. He was claimed out of that contest and will debut for the Kyle Fellows barn, who adds Lasix at this start. James MacDonald sticks and that gives me confidence that we could see improvement here this evening. (5) STREET ART was aggressively handled in his latest and faltered. He usually does his work from off the pace on the big track and might be able to work out a winning trick with someone to chase in this spot. (4) BAYLOR BOBBY was a solid 3rd in his latest try and he should be able to build off that effort in this spot; draws well. (7) GIDDY UP MAX didn’t have the same level of pop late in the stretch as we’ve seen in starts prior, but he’s one that will be heard from late and can grab a piece because of it.

Race 6: POP UP SERIES: F&M CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $4,000 LAST 5 STARTS.

(6) HORIZON SEELSTER was paired with Tyler Borth last week and was handled confidently to a dominant score. He draws well, and he should deploy similar tactics in this spot and will be tough because of it. (1) AK BLACK BADGER removed from the two-hole early on in the mile to take control of the race. He got picked off by the pocket sitter late in the mile to be a solid second. He’ll likely be chasing the one above in this spot but will likely be racing for a slot underneath. (9) SMALLTOWN BAD GIRL never got much of a chance to race and was sitting behind some traffic late in the stretch. She was sneaky good in that effort and one I’d toy with when playing exotics, for sure. (2) JAZZVILLE was 2nd in her latest try. She draws inside and should be good enough to hang around for a share.

Race 7: CLAIMING $20,000 FOR NW $50,000 (OS $63,600) LIFETIME.

(7) CRUISE HANOVER was able to slip up the inside in his most recent try to score at this same level. He has shown he has some early footing off the gate, if need be, and can get situated in a pretty good spot early on. (3) ALWAYS B MELMAN made a first over bid towards the pace-setter and couldn’t get to him. He was strong in defeat and should be even tighter off that effort. (4) FLYING FOR TREV never had much of a chance in his latest after getting away 9th. He retains JMac for this contest who guided him to a victory two starts back. (8) DA MAGIC MIKE disappointed as the favorite last time out in a 4th place effort. He has been on a line over his last few tries, but shows up here adding Lasix and that may be what he needs to get back into the win column.

Race 8: POP UP SERIES: F&M CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $4,000 LAST 5 STARTS.

(8) DEL DIGGITY dropped down to this level last time out and scored convincingly in the opening leg of this pop up. She was claimed out of that contest by Malik Smith, who has had success with this mare in the past and should prove tough to beat, even hailing from the outside. (6) RISKOFTHUNDERSTORM made her first start in Ontario after shipping in from Western Canada. She was off one month prior to that effort, draws the winningest post at Mohawk and should be able to improve here. (7) GOLDIES ROCKIN was no match for the one above after attempting a speed mission. She can be aggressively handled from this spot if she so chooses, and should be able to stick around for a big piece. (5) MISSY ROCKS was 3rd in her most recent and will have every opportunity to close for a share this evening as well.

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Race 9: POP UP SERIES: F&M CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $4,000 LAST 5 STARTS.

(1) HEAD HONCHO found himself back in the winner’s circle when he rallied late to score. He was a sick-scr the start prior and missed nearly one month going into that effort to score. He should be even better tonight and gets the call to repeat. (2) TUF COOPER didn’t fire whatsoever despite being the 2nd-choice in that effort. He got away 7th and failed to improve a position. He was claimed out of that contest by Kyle Fellows, draws inside, and he’s better than what she showed. (6) ARAGONITE was 2nd in his latest in what was an improved effort. He draws well, should be aggressively handled and might be able to take this group down the road. (9) BRING YOUR FIRE has picked up shares over his last three tries. He has had difficulty getting away in good spots early and will likely be racing for a piece here again.

Race 10: POP UP SERIES: CLAIMING $8,000 FOR NW $4,000 LAST 5 STARTS.

(4) KATIES BET was aggressively handled as the choice in his latest and tired to finish 3rd. That was his second start back for trainer Mike Bishop who trained him to his lifetime mark of 1:50.2. He is better suited with a trip and will have speed to chase in this contest. It’s JMac’s choice of four others in this contest and he’s our best bet this evening. (7) BET NINTEEN was aggressively handled in his latest and scored a gate-to-wire victory as the overwhelming choice. He will likely be summoned off the wings early and will be the one to take down this evening. (1) FLYING ART A was 2nd by a neck in what was a strong effort. He missed a few weeks going into that contest and raced very well despite that. He draws inside and will be able to secure a good, stalking spot. We like him for a piece. (3) FERN HILL BREEZE just missed in his latest in what was a strong effort. He draws inside and will have every chance to hit the ticket. (10) PLAY THE ACE draws poorly this evening but has shown some life at the end of his miles; he can round out the Hi-5.